Thiago bids farewell to Barcelona in emotional open letter

The Spain Under-21 midfielder posted a note on his Twitter account in which he praised his former club and its fans, while he also had a message for former mentor Tito Vilanova

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has bid goodbye to former club Barcelona in an open letter posted on Twitter.

The Spain international completed his move to the Bundesliga champions after turning down the chance to move to Manchester United, but he admitted that it was hard for him to leave Camp Nou.

"I leave the house that I spent 14 years at…it was a difficult decision, tough. Eras come to an end and there are changes now ahead," he stated.

"Today I have the same enthusiasm for playing football as when I arrived at Barcelona as a child. And that ambition, enthusiasm and those sporting circumstances have led me to Munich.

"In Barcelona I grew as a player and as a person. It sounds clichéd, and it is what is said in these situations, but it is really the case. I want to thank each and every person at the club. Barca and the people there have given me everything, I have grown, matured and have learned from both good and bad situations.

"Team-mates, technical staff, employees, fans, above all, you, the fans…who are great for this club in victory and defeat. To all of you, thank you for the years. Thanks to those who supported me in the more difficult moments. All of the love I received I will take with me to this new adventure."

The 22-year-old also had a message for Tito Vilanova, who stepped down as Barca manager on Friday to continue his fight against cancer.

"And you, Tito, a fighter…as we told Abi [Eric Abidal]: 'Stones in the road? Keep them all, one day you will build a castle'. No doubt you will continue to move forward.

"A grateful hug and long live Barca!"

Thiago had earlier spoken to the press in Munich, refuting suggestions that he may suffer from a culture shock in his early days in Germany.

"On the contrary, things here are pretty similar to Barcelona," he was quoted as saying by TZ.

"I had some amazing players around me right from the start at Barcelona and that's the case here as well. That makes things very easy for a new and young player like me."